4,711 research outputs found
Evolution of Massive Black Hole Binaries
We present the result of large-scale N-body simulations of the
stellar-dynamical evolution of a massive black-hole binary at the center of a
spherical galaxy. We focus on the dependence of the hardening rate on the
relaxation timescale of the parent galaxy. A simple theoretical argument
predicts that a binary black hole creates the ``loss cone'' around it. Once the
loss cone is formed, the hardening rate is determined by the rate at which
field stars diffuse into the loss cone. Therefore the hardening timescale
becomes proportional to the relaxation timescale. Recent N-body simulations,
however, have failed to confirm this theory and various explanations have been
proposed. By performing simulations with sufficiently large N (up to )
for sufficiently long time, we found that the hardening rate does depend on N.
Our result is consistent with the simple theoretical prediction that the
hardening timescale is proportional to the relaxation timescale. This
dependence implies that most massive black hole binaries are unlikely to merge
within the Hubble time through interaction with field stars and gravitational
wave radiation alone.Comment: Reviced version accepted for publication in ApJ. Scheduled to appear
in the February 10, 2004 issu
All Maximal Independent Sets and Dynamic Dominance for Sparse Graphs
We describe algorithms, based on Avis and Fukuda's reverse search paradigm,
for listing all maximal independent sets in a sparse graph in polynomial time
and delay per output. For bounded degree graphs, our algorithms take constant
time per set generated; for minor-closed graph families, the time is O(n) per
set, and for more general sparse graph families we achieve subquadratic time
per set. We also describe new data structures for maintaining a dynamic vertex
set S in a sparse or minor-closed graph family, and querying the number of
vertices not dominated by S; for minor-closed graph families the time per
update is constant, while it is sublinear for any sparse graph family. We can
also maintain a dynamic vertex set in an arbitrary m-edge graph and test the
independence of the maintained set in time O(sqrt m) per update. We use the
domination data structures as part of our enumeration algorithms.Comment: 10 page
MYRIAD: A new N-body code for simulations of Star Clusters
We present a new C++ code for collisional N-body simulations of star
clusters. The code uses the Hermite fourth-order scheme with block time steps,
for advancing the particles in time, while the forces and neighboring particles
are computed using the GRAPE-6 board. Special treatment is used for close
encounters, binary and multiple sub-systems that either form dynamically or
exist in the initial configuration. The structure of the code is modular and
allows the appropriate treatment of more physical phenomena, such as stellar
and binary evolution, stellar collisions and evolution of close black-hole
binaries. Moreover, it can be easily modified so that the part of the code that
uses GRAPE-6, could be replaced by another module that uses other
accelerating-hardware like the Graphics Processing Units (GPUs). Appropriate
choice of the free parameters give a good accuracy and speed for simulations of
star clusters up to and beyond core collapse. Simulations of Plummer models
consisting of equal-mass stars reached core collapse at t~17 half-mass
relaxation times, which compares very well with existing results, while the
cumulative relative error in the energy remained below 0.001. Also, comparisons
with published results of other codes for the time of core collapse for
different initial conditions, show excellent agreement. Simulations of King
models with an initial mass-function, similar to those found in the literature,
reached core collapse at t~0.17, which is slightly smaller than the expected
result from previous works. Finally, the code accuracy becomes comparable and
even better than the accuracy of existing codes, when a number of close binary
systems is dynamically created in a simulation. This is due to the high
accuracy of the method that is used for close binary and multiple sub-systems.Comment: 24 pages, 29 figures, accepted for publication to Astronomy &
Astrophysic
Cluster Mass Estimate and a Cusp of the Mass Density Distribution in Clusters of Galaxies
We study density cusps in the center of clusters of galaxies to reconcile
X-ray mass estimates with gravitational lensing masses. For various mass
density models with cusps we compute X-ray surface brightness distribution, and
fit them to observations to measure the range of parameters in the density
models. The Einstein radii estimated from these density models are compared
with Einstein radii derived from the observed arcs for Abell 2163, Abell 2218,
and RX J1347.5-1145. The X-ray masses and lensing masses corresponding to these
Einstein radii are also compared. While steeper cusps give smaller ratios of
lensing mass to X-ray mass, the X-ray surface brightnesses estimated from
flatter cusps are better fits to the observations. For Abell 2163 and Abell
2218, although the isothermal sphere with a finite core cannot produce giant
arc images, a density model with a central cusp can produce a finite Einstein
radius, which is smaller than the observed radii. We find that a total mass
density profile which declines as produces the largest radius
in models which are consistent with the X-ray surface brightness profile. As
the result, the extremely large ratio of the lensing mass to the X-ray mass is
improved from 2.2 to 1.4 for Abell 2163, and from 3 to 2.4 for Abell 2218. For
RX J1347.5-1145, which is a cooling flow cluster, we cannot reduce the mass
discrepancy.Comment: 23 pages, 10 figures, Latex, uses aasms4.sty, accepted for
publication in ApJ, Part
Compton Echoes from Gamma-ray Bursts
Recent observations of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) have provided growing evidence
for collimated outflows and emission, and strengthened the connection between
GRBs and supernovae. If massive stars are the progenitors of GRBs, the hard
photon pulse will propagate in the pre-burst, dense environment. Circumstellar
material will Compton scatter the prompt GRB radiation and give rise to a
reflection echo. We calculate luminosities, spectra, and light curves of such
Compton echoes in a variety of emission geometries and ambient gas
distributions, and show that the delayed hard X-ray flash from a pulse
propagating into a red supergiant wind could be detectable by Swift out to
z~0.2. Independently of the gamma-ray spectrum of the prompt burst, reflection
echoes will typically show a high-energy cutoff between m_ec^2/2 and m_ec^2
because of Compton downscattering. At fixed burst energy per steradian, the
luminosity of the reflected echo is proportional to the beaming solid angle,
Omega_b, of the prompt pulse, while the number of bright echoes detectable in
the sky above a fixed limiting flux increases as Omega_b^{1/2}, i.e. it is
smaller in the case of more collimated jets. The lack of an X-ray echo at one
month delay from the explosion poses severe constraints on the possible
existence of a lateral GRB jet in SN 1987A. The late r-band afterglow observed
in GRB990123 is fainter than the optical echo expected in a dense red
supergiant environment from a isotropic prompt optical flash. Significant MeV
delayed emission may be produced through the bulk Compton (or Compton drag)
effect resulting from the interaction of the decelerating fireball with the
scattered X-ray radiation.Comment: LaTeX, 18 pages, 4 figures, revised version accepted for publication
in the Ap
Thermodynamic equilibrium and its stability for Microcanonical systems described by the Sharma-Taneja-Mittal entropy
It is generally assumed that the thermodynamic stability of equilibrium state
is reflected by the concavity of entropy. We inquire, in the microcanonical
picture, on the validity of this statement for systems described by the
bi-parametric entropy of Sharma-Taneja-Mittal. We analyze
the ``composability'' rule for two statistically independent systems, A and B,
described by the entropy with the same set of the deformed
parameters. It is shown that, in spite of the concavity of the entropy, the
``composability'' rule modifies the thermodynamic stability conditions of the
equilibrium state. Depending on the values assumed by the deformed parameters,
when the relation holds (super-additive systems), the concavity
conditions does imply the thermodynamics stability. Otherwise, when the
relation holds (sub-additive systems), the concavity
conditions does not imply the thermodynamical stability of the equilibrium
state.Comment: 13 pages, two columns, 1 figure, RevTex4, version accepted on PR
Recoverin Regulates Light-dependent Phosphodiesterase Activity in Retinal Rods
The Ca2+-binding protein recoverin may regulate visual transduction in retinal rods and cones, but its functional role and mechanism of action remain controversial. We compared the photoresponses of rods from control mice and from mice in which the recoverin gene was knocked out. Our analysis indicates that Ca2+-recoverin prolongs the dark-adapted flash response and increases the rod's sensitivity to dim steady light. Knockout rods had faster Ca2+ dynamics, indicating that recoverin is a significant Ca2+ buffer in the outer segment, but incorporation of exogenous buffer did not restore wild-type behavior. We infer that Ca2+-recoverin potentiates light-triggered phosphodiesterase activity, probably by effectively prolonging the catalytic activity of photoexcited rhodopsin
Effect of growth conditions on optical properties of CdSe/ZnSe single quantum dots
In this work, we have investigated the optical properties of two samples of
CdSe quantum dots by using submicro-photoluminescence spectroscopy. The effect
of vicinal-surface GaAs substrates on their properties has been also assessed.
The thinner sample, grown on a substrate with vicinal surface, includes only
dots with a diameter of less than 10 nm (type A islands). Islands of an average
diameter of about 16 nm (type B islands) that are related to a phase transition
via a Stranski-Krastanow growth process are also distributed in the thicker
sample grown on an oriented substrate. We have studied the evolution of
lineshapes of PL spectra for these two samples by improving spatial resolution
that was achieved using nanoapertures or mesa structures. It was found that the
use of a substrate with the vicinal surface leads to the suppression of
excitonic PL emitted from a wetting layer.Comment: 2pages, 2 figures, Proceedings of International Conference On
Superlattices Nano-Structures And Nano-Devices, July, Toulouse, France, to
appear in the special issue of Physica
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